The Chairman of the Advocate Lecture Series Board of Council, Abraham Ogbodo, has announced renowned conference speaker and governance advocate Charles Apoki as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Advocate Publication Annual Lecture Series.
Ogbodo, a veteran journalist and former editor at The Guardian Nigeria, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Secretary of the Board, Shedrack Onitsha.
According to the statement, the selection of Dr. Apoki followed a rigorous search process by the board in its effort to identify a speaker whose expertise aligns with the vision and objectives of the 2026 lecture.
Dr. Apoki will deliver a keynote address titled: “From Ballot to Patronage: Why Electoral Victory Fails to Deliver Good Governance in Nigeria.”
The lecture is scheduled to take place on April 16, 2026, at Wetland Hotel in Ughelli.
Following the keynote presentation, a panel discussion featuring experts from the judiciary, law enforcement agencies and civil society organisations will examine the issues raised in the paper.
According to the organisers, the lecture will address the widening gap between electoral victory and effective governance in Nigeria.
The event is expected to explore how elections sometimes become mechanisms that transfer power from the electorate to political patrons rather than producing accountable leadership.
Key issues to be examined include, the influence of political godfatherism, Wwak institutional oversight, the monetisation of politics, and challenges undermining democratic mandates
Organisers say the discussion will also propose practical reforms aimed at restoring public trust in elections and strengthening governance systems in Nigeria.
Dr. Apoki is a distinguished graduate of the University of Ibadan College of Medicine, where he obtained his medical degree in 1984. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.
An ordained clergyman and respected public speaker, Apoki has addressed audiences across several denominations and professional platforms.
He has travelled widely across Africa and Europe, delivering leadership teachings and transformational messages at conferences, corporate events and institutional forums.
Dr. Apoki is also the convener of the Word and Wisdom Conference, a platform that brings together pastors, entrepreneurs, professionals and church leaders for leadership development and capacity building.
In addition, he is the proprietor of Petra Christian Academy, an educational institution providing nursery, primary and secondary education in Nigeria.
Beyond education and ministry, he is widely known for his work as a marriage counsellor and mentor.
The Advocate Publication Annual Lecture Series serves as a forum for intellectual discourse on pressing national issues.
The 2026 edition is expected to attract policymakers, academics, legal practitioners, civil society actors and media professionals interested in discussing reforms capable of strengthening Nigeria’s democratic and governance institutions.
